Not a flower can be found in the fields, br Or the spot that we till for our pleasure, br From the largest to the least, but it yields br The bee never wearied a treasure. br br Scarce any she quits unexplored br With a diligence truly exact; br Yet, steal what she may for her hoard br Leaves evidence none of the fact. br br Her lucrative task she pursues, br And pilfers with so much address, br That none of their odour they lose, br Nor charm by their beauty the less. br br Not thus inoffensively preys br The cankerworm, in-dwelling foe! br His voracity not thus allays br The sparrow, the finch, or the crow. br br The worm, more expensively fed, br The pride of the garden devours; br And birds peck the seed from the bed, br Still less to be spared than the flowers. br br But she with such delicate skill br Her pillage so fits for her use, br That the chemist in vain with his still br Would labour the like to produce. br br Then grudge not her temperate meals, br Nor a benefit blame as a theft; br Since, stole she not all that she steals, br Neither honey nor wax would be left.